The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
Related stories
Quick summary
The article highlights three appealing destinations—Palm Springs, Savannah and St. Kitts—each offering unique experiences from desert escapes to historic city tours and tropical beaches.
A specific travel rewards card is profiled for its ability to help travelers earn miles and access travel benefits when booking flights, hotels and transportation.
Cardholders can benefit from perks such as trip protections, purchase coverage and savings on inflight purchases.
The guide emphasizes how using a travel rewards card can enhance both everyday spending and vacation planning.
What to consider
Miles earned through the profiled loyalty program do not expire and there are no blackout dates for flight redemptions.
Booking hotels through the airline's portal and using the travel rewards card can increase the miles earned for future trips.
Certain purchases, such as inflight food and Wi-Fi, may qualify for statement credits when paid with the card.
What you'll miss from the article
Detailed destination recommendations and practical tips for maximizing travel rewards across flights, hotels and local experiences.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Make this the year you take off to discover destinations full of charm, history and a few exotic beaches as well. Whether you want to soak in the sun-splashed pools of Palm Springs, California, wander historic alleyways in Savannah, Georgia, or even bask on the sandy shores of St. Kitts, there's a card that will reward you along every step of your journey.
When flying on United Airlines® with the United Gateway℠ Card, you’ll have access to over 300 destinations worldwide, plus you’ll also enjoy several ways to earn miles for a future flight. Best of all, the Gateway Card offers you travel benefits and perks.
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa. CHRIS NELSON/THE POINTS GUY
Chase United Gateway Card basics
If you fly United, you should definitely strongly consider the United Gateway Card.
Right now, the card is offering 30,000 miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. You can also earn an additional 5,000 bonus miles by adding an authorized user in the first three months.
That’s a nice stash of United miles right off the bat, but the card will also help you increase your earnings even more, both on everyday spending and on United purchases. Carrying the card will help you accrue:
7 miles per dollar spent on United flights (5 miles from being a United MileagePlus® member and 2 miles from using the Gateway Card)
3 miles per dollar spent on hotels booked through United Hotels (2 miles from being a United MileagePlus member and 1 mile from using the Gateway Card)
2 miles per dollar spent on other United® purchases, plus those made at gas stations and for local transit and commuting
1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases
THE POINTS GUY
With those earning rates and a little bit of strategy, your next trip could quickly be within reach. That's especially true because your United miles will never expire, and there are no blackout dates when it comes to redeeming those miles on United flights.
Here is how you can put the United Gateway Card and all its benefits to use on a vacation to one of these three incredible destinations.
A quick getaway to Palm Springs
As winter weather hangs on across much of the country, you might be dreaming of temperate climates and swaying palms. Throw in dramatic desert peaks and amazing midcentury modern architecture, and Palm Springs might just be the perfect choice for your next warm-weather escapade.
United flies nonstop to Palm Springs from multiple cities around the U.S., including Chicago, Denver and San Francisco, making it an easy jaunt almost no matter where you are coming from. As soon as you step off the plane, those vacation vibes will set in thanks to the airport’s indoor-outdoor design, which maximizes the California breezes and brings in plenty of fresh air and sunlight.
United Airbus A319 at Palm Springs International Airport (PSP). CHRIS NELSON/THE POINTS GUY
Hop in a rental car, making sure to use your United Gateway Card for the expense so you are covered with collision and damage waiver protection, then cruise along the city’s tree-lined boulevards past bucolic country clubs and historic homes. When you need to fill up, your Gateway Card will earn you 2 miles per dollar spent. If you decide to use ride-hailing services or taxis on your trip instead of renting a car, those purchases also qualify for the card’s earning rate of 2 miles per dollar.
Take some time to check out the new Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza, which features a museum dedicated to preserving the history, handicrafts and traditions of the Indigenous Cahuilla Indians.
Sign outside of Palm Springs International Airport (PSP). CHRIS NELSON/THE POINTS GUY
Before long, though, it will be time for a round of golf on one of the area’s world-class courses or a cooling dip in your hotel pool.
Speaking of which, there are plenty ofexcellent hotels and resorts in Palm Springs to choose from. The recently opened Thompson Palm Springs is an ideal property for those looking to stay in the heart of town, with just 168 rooms and 18 suites, plus a Middle Eastern restaurant and bar and a wine-tasting room from Hall Napa Valley.
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa. CHRIS NELSON/THE POINTS GUY
For more of a classic resort stay, the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa sprawls across 450 gorgeously manicured acres in Palm Desert and has two 18-hole championship golf courses designed by Ted Robinson, a 20-court tennis club and an expansive spa complex.
No matter where you end up staying, be sure to check United Hotels — you can use your United Gateway Card to book through the portal to earn 3 miles per dollar spent on your stay.
CHRIS NELSON/THE POINTS GUY
Although Palm Springs has plenty of allure, perhaps you are hoping for a destination that combines the vibrancy of city life with a more laid-back tempo. Turn your thoughts to the South and consider a sojourn in Savannah instead.
Southern charm in Savannah
Founded in 1733, Savannah holds the title of Georgia's oldest city and has all the attractions of busier locales like Charleston, South Carolina, but far fewer crowds. It has a thriving arts and music scene, phenomenal restaurants and a crop of new hotels that make it one of the most dynamic destinations in the U.S. You can also take day trips along the coast to visit enchanting waterfront hamlets for fishing expeditions, local farmers markets, down-home cooking and more.
Forsyth Park in Savannah, Georgia. SEANPAVONEPHOTO/GETTY IMAGES
Once there, you can explore the city’s picturesque live oak-shaded streets and visit the famous fountain at Forsyth Park. You can learn more about the town’s Black history with a coach tour or a guided walking tour with Footprints of Savannah. Then, after the sun goes down, get a glimpse into some of Savannah’s more macabre stories during a goosebump-inducing experience with Ghost City Tours’ “Dead of Night” excursion.
If you're in the mood for the outdoors, you can get out in nature with a day trip to picturesque Tybee Island for an afternoon of seaside relaxation on its wide, sandy beaches or a visit to its famous 18th-century lighthouse.
Once you build up an appetite, be sure to get lunch or dinner at Strangebird, a restaurant in a carefully restored 1967 Airstream that serves palate-pleasing Southern plates with Mexican flair, such as smokehouse tacos with nixtamalized tortillas and tangy-spicy Georgia shrimp aguachile. Or, head over to Cotton & Rye for a fun take on Southern cuisine and enjoy shrimp and grits or maybe even fried chicken thighs served with hot honey and pickle chips.
A streetcar on River Street in Savannah's Historic District. TORRESINGER/GETTY IMAGES
There are plenty of fabulous hotels in town, but you might want to check out one of the newest, the elegant Hotel Bardo. Its beautiful pool area is lined with pink umbrellas and cushy loungers, while its main restaurant, Saint Bibiana, is tucked inside a historic mansion on the property and is probably the best place in town for handmade pasta.
The JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District, meanwhile, is in the hip Riverside neighborhood, and one of its buildings is actually a historic 1912 power plant. Spend some time admiring the hotel’s unique, engaging art collection, then take in the city skyline with creative cocktails and light bites at the hotel’s Myrtle & Rose Rooftop Bar.
Book through United Hotels and use your United Gateway Card to earn 3 miles per dollar spent and start stocking up for the next trip on your travel docket.
Spooky tours and sunset sips set Savannah apart. But if your travel wish list skews more toward a balmy beach getaway, you might want to consider the next Caribbean island idyll.
Tropical bliss in St. Kitts
In the middle of the West Indies, St. Kitts is a distinctive destination with colorful towns, tranquil beaches, rainforest-covered mountains and historic rum distilleries. Though many travelers head to neighboring Nevis instead for quiet stays at one of its many luxury hotels, St. Kitts has a lot of character and attractions of its own.
Port Zante in St. Kitts. MIKOLAJN/GETTY IMAGES
If you use your United Gateway Card to purchase your tickets with paid fares instead, remember that you can earn 7 miles per dollar spent (5 miles for being a MileagePlus member and an additional 2 miles for using your card).
While on your flight, you can use your United Gateway Card to purchase snacks and drinks; you'll not only earn 2 miles per dollar spent but also receive 25% back on your purchases in the form of statement credits.
Once you arrive, you can spend your days simply sunning on the sand at one of the island’s beaches. If you feel more active, rise early for a morning hike up the tree-covered slopes of Mount Liamuiga, a dormant stratovolcano, or book a boat charter and head out on the water for a sport-fishing session or a snorkel in the island’s secluded coves. Wind down the day with a tasting at Old Road Rum, where spirit production dates back to 1681.
Brimstone Hill Fortress in St. Kitts. WESTEND61/GETTY IMAGES
Since it opened in November 2017, the luxurious Park Hyatt St. Kitts has been one of the most popular hotels in the Caribbean. It has two picturesque pools — an oasislike adults-only one and a family-friendly one overlooking the imposing Brimstone Hill Fortress — plus a tropical spa and six bars and restaurants, including the oceanfront Fisherman’s Village serving fresh-caught seafood.
You might be sad to check out, but at least you will know that by paying for your trip with your United Gateway Card, you are already earning miles you can use toward your next vacation.
Bottom line
Whether you are looking for your first travel rewards credit card or have been considering the United Gateway Card for a while, now is a good time to apply.
Not only is the card fielding a welcome offer of 30,000 miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening, but it is a solid earner on everyday spending. It also comes with several trip and purchase protections that can make your travel plans feel much more secure.
If you travel on United, it can really make sense to have a United card in your wallet. Thanks to having the Gateway Card, you can save 25% on inflight purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi. With the card, you will also enjoy purchase protection, making the card a great choice to use for purchases both at home and abroad.
If your future travel plans take you to one of these three destinations — or one of the hundreds of others to which United flies — the United Gateway Card can help make every journey rewarding.
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
